Aesop Rock: Sign of the Times

After two years from being off the scene Aesop Rock returns with his third album titled None Shall Pass on the Definitive Jux Records. Aesop, a name he’d chosen from a character from a short film that one of his friends was filming. “It was a long time movie character.” He decided to add “Rock” at the end. Aesop paved his way by entering the scene by recording songs at home, also by rhyming at parties, and attending underground shows with his friend from Boston University, and now label mate Blockhead.

He came on the scene in 1997, but he didn’t release his first album until 2001. “I try to tell stories, and paint a picture.” That’s how he describes his style, and that’s what you would imagine when listening to his albums. By not producing to hit the status quo, he tries to bring something new with each album. “Some artists are afraid to do something different. They always seem to repeat.”

The album has guest appearances by; El-P, Rob Sonic, John Darnielle of the Mountains Goats, camutao, CAGE, and more. With tracks like None Shall Pass, Citronella, and Catacomb Kids, this has a little old school tune to it and a sample of Slick Rick’s Children’s Story. None Shall Pass is filled with wicked beats, and lyrics, that no one will pass up in a record store.